Metro Detroit broadcasting legend Frank Beckmann has died at the age of 72. Finally, Id like to give thanks to my family: my wife, Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, for the selfless sacrifices theyve made through the years. Frank Beckmann. I was a Frank Beckmann fan dating all the way back to the days of SportsWrap on WJR, when a nervous young caller (me) from Clio dialed in to try and stump the host and win an American League Red Book. Well, the host wonbut still sent me the prize and I was a Beckmann backer ever since. And what is probably less widely-know statewide was Beckmanns immense support for charitable causes, and using golf to raise millions of dollars, often quietly out of the broader public eye. Beckmann is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. As an indispensable member of our team, he has helped WJR become a mega-brand in Michigan, the Midwest and throughout the country. Finateri continued: Franks career over the past 48 years has made him one of the most elite members of the media, and deservedly so. Here is Beckmanns obituary, as shared by WJR.com: Broadcasting veteran and longtime WJR host Frank Beckmann died Saturday night at a hospice center in Clarkston. You can listen to the Beckman announcement HERE. He will be sorely missed, but we wish him all the best as he enjoys his next chapter as full-time family member and avid golfer! He really lived it and preached it. His last show will air on Friday, March 26. "Frank has received numerous honors, including induction into both the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. It is always sad when a friend leaves us but even more so when a 'giant of a man' for his family, profession and community passes.. Beckmann is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. He worked with Hall of Famer Al Kaline for three seasons before Kaline joined the Tigers' front office. "As a youngster growing up on the east side of Detroit, I always imagined sitting behind a microphone, announcing Lions and Tigers games. ", "I will be forever grateful to WJR for helping all of my boyhood dreams to come true," said Beckmann. He was obviously passionate about the game himself and played every chance he got. His support of golf in the state of Michigan and the Pure Michigan Campaign; it was wonderful to have somebody with that influence just talking about golf, and golf in Michigan. The golfing world lost this gem of a larger-than-life man, Feb. 13, passing while in Hospice care. Finally, I'd like to give thanks to my family: my wife, Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, for the selfless sacrifices they've made through the years. He has three grandchildren and wants to be with them all the time. Beckmann is also a longtime major supporter of the March of Dimes, and has hosted an annual golf tournament fundraiser for the charity for 37 years. He followed Rick Rizzs and Bob Rathbun, who never overcame the image of replacing Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell on the radio despite accomplished careers calling games elsewhere. Beckmann's contract is up at the end of March, and over the holidays he began considering calling it a career rather than entering into renewal talks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Daily industry headlines plus breaking news bulletins. And now that my professional sunset beckons, and while I say so long to my job, I say thanks to all of you for making my career and life more complete. "Frank is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. Below are a collection of thoughts from those who knew Beckmann better than I. Lew LaPaugh, President of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, for Autism research: Frank's heart was bigger than the man. "Frank is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. As a midday talk personality, he prides himself on having the best informed audience, and always delivers on that promise to them. Together, they had two children, Jonathan and Tori Kughn (Andrew Kughn), and three She has acquired all this wealth due to her marriage to the retired broadcaster. They love him. Most would agree that Frank Beckmann was the great voice of that great voice and one of the fiercest supporters of the game of golf Michigan has ever known. His passion for baseball and sports will forever be remembered. "Frank is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. His final broadcast will be March 26, 2021. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Michigan football for decades. He was 72. Beckmann has hosted The Frank Beckmann Show on WJR weekdays from 9:00am-Noon for the last 18 years. Thank you for the kind words and everyone who has listened to the radio show or broadcasts.. 3 Beckmann was diagnosed with vascular dementia Credit: WJR More to follow For the latest news on this story keep checking back at A beloved Metro Detroit staple, Beckmann spent 48 years behind the microphone as the constant voice from the golden tower of the Fisher Building. Metro Detroit broadcasting legend Frank Beckmann has died at the age of 72. My best wishes to my WJR colleagues and listeners.. Detroit sports broadcaster Frank Beckmann to retire. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Finally, Id like to give thanks to my family: my wife, Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, for the selfless sacrifices theyve made through the years. Frank Beckmann cared deeply about Detroit and Michigan. He was honored as Top Michigan Sportscaster numerous times, and in 2014, he received the Chris Schenkel Award by the National Football Foundation, making Beckmann a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. As a philanthropist, his overwhelming generosity has fortified countless worthy causes. Frank Beckmann. On Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the age of 72, legendary WJR radio broadcaster Frank Beckmann, with his loving wife and family by his side, entered the gates of heaven and joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in eternal life. Its been me all these years, and now suddenly Im going to wake up tomorrow morning and do whatever I want this weekend and, better yet, on Monday, I can do it then too.. As an indispensable member of our team, he has helped WJR become a mega-brand in Michigan, the Midwest and throughout the country. As a youngster growing up on the east side of Detroit, I always imagined sitting behind a microphone, announcing Lions and Tigers games. He died Saturday night at a hospice center in Clarkston, according to reports. Beckmann also had his own daily morning talk show in more recent times on WJR, with a conservative bent. I dont think I realize the depth of it, Beckmann said ahead of his retirement. Who are Frank Beckmanns wife and children? He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, and has also been inducted into the Michigan Associations of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the VIP Mentoring Coaches Challenge Hall of Fame. Its been me all these years, and now suddenly Im going to wake up tomorrow morning and do whatever I want this weekend and, better yet, on Monday, I can do it then too.. Our business relationship through WJR developed into a friendship through his many trips to our resorts and BOYNE Golf courses. His loss is tragic and his enthusiasm for Michigan and the game of golf will be greatly missed.. He is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. Despite less experience in baseball than other sports, Beckmann proved both adept popular, teaming with Lary Sorensen and Jim Price on WJR from 1995 to 1998. Most importantly, Frank Beckmann is one of the kindest, most honorable and passionate individuals to those who know him. All registered. pic.twitter.com/FpkiOxU9R8. My co-workers and our clients are not only my friends; they are my family. She has acquired all this wealth due to her marriage to the retired broadcaster. Frank Beckmann cause of death, wife, children, net worth, funeral. One of our favorite memories was Frank extolling the virtues of Michigan golf on the Links/Quarry course at Bay Harbor Golf Club with Matt Ginella from the Golf Channel. He first signed on to WJR in 1972. Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues. Beckmann is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. Finally, I'd like to give thanks to my family: my wife, Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, for the selfless sacrifices they've made through the years. He never turned peopledown. Streamline Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. My best wishes to my WJR colleagues and listeners.. He served as the morning A sports broadcasting legend, Beckmann has hosted "The Frank Beckmann Show" on WJR weekdays from 9am-noon for the last 18 years. Beckmanns wife Karen told the Detroit News that he was in critical condition at an area hospice facility following a series of strokes. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Strictly star bags life-changing EastEnders role as part of new family, Baby's body found after huge search as cops quiz Constance Marten & lover, Bianca Gascoigne reveals very unusual name for her newborn daughter, I took pic of son, 18, before his first night out then the worst thing happened, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. It was surreal for me to actually have been able to do that, along with experiencing the other great opportunities this radio giant known as WJR provided me. His passion for baseball and sports will forever be remembered.. DETROIT -- Frank Beckmann, whose near-half century as a Detroit broadcaster included a decade calling Tigers games, passed away Saturday following a rare illness. On Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the age of 72, legendary WJR radio broadcaster Frank Beckmann, with his loving wife and family by his side, entered the gates of heaven and joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in eternal life. He will be sorely missed, but we wish him all the best as he enjoys his next chapter as full-time family member and avid golfer!, Beckmann added, I will be forever grateful to WJR for helping all of my boyhood dreams to come true. Frank Beckmann cared deeply about Detroit and Michigan. The 48 years old died Saturday night of vascular dementia, according to his wife, Karen. Finally, Id like to give thanks to my family: my wife, Karen, son Jon, and daughter Tori, for the selfless sacrifices theyve made through the years. On Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the age of 72, legendary WJR radio broadcaster Frank Beckmann, with his loving wife and family by his side, entered the gates of heaven and joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in eternal life. Harwell rejoined the Tigers on television broadcasts in 1994, while Beckmann took over on radio a year later. But in lieu of flowers, she said it can be donated to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. My best wishes to my WJR colleagues and listeners.". During his legendary career, Beckmann served as the voice of University of Michigan football and basketball. Frank Beckmann, a news talk and sports broadcasting legend, has hosted The Frank Beckmann Show on WJR weekdays from 9:00 a.m. 12 noon for the last 18 years. And now that my professional sunset beckons, and while I say so long to my job, I say thanks to all of you for making my career and life more complete. His last show will air on Friday, March 26, 2021. He was so proud of Michigan, and of Detroit. Which is also creating a Frank Beckmann Center for Journalism. Beckmann earned nearly every local sportscasting award possible, including Michigan Sportscaster of the Year three times from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. pic.twitter.com/ZVAMI5rl1u. Beckmann began his career at WJR in 1972 and succeeded Bob Ufer as the Michigan football teams play-by-play announcer in 1981. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and has also been inducted into the Michigan Associations of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the VIP Mentoring Coaches Challenge Hall of Fame. Beckmann is survived by his wife Karen, son Jonathan, daughter Tori, and grandchildren Pierson, Brooks, and Sawyer. It was a tremendous part of my life and my career, Beckmann said. Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free. Audio Ink is a trademark of Streamline Publishing, Inc. 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